This notice announces that EPA is accepting applications from organizations
who seek to be approved under the registry process to print and distribute
the new national uniform hazardous waste manifest. On March
4, 2005, EPA published regulations modifying the hazardous waste manifest
system. To assist in implementing the new manifest rule, EPA recently
posted a new Manifest
Registry Web site. Once an applicant is approved, EPA will add that
organization's information to the Table of Registered Printers on the
Web site, and will indicate whether that printer is offering its manifest
forms for sale to the general public. A waste handler can obtain forms
from any printing source approved by EPA.

Notice of Data Availability and Request for Comment

Summary

This Notice is a follow up to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's)
2001 proposed rule and 2005 final rule regarding the standardization of
the uniform hazardous waste manifest. In 2005, EPA published a final rule
standardizing the printed manifest and postponed action on the e-manifest
based on comments and available technology. The Agency has been listening
to stakeholders and evaluating data and technology for the past two years.
This Notice states the Agency's intent to develop a centralized e-manifest
system through a regulatory action. Comments will be accepted for 60 days
following publication in the Federal Register.

Final Rule - March 4, 2005

Summary

EPA is establishing new requirements revising the Uniform Hazardous Waste
Manifest regulations and the manifest and continuation sheet forms used
to track hazardous waste from a generators site to the site of its
disposition. The revisions announced today will:

Adopt new procedures for tracking certain types of waste shipments
with the manifest. These types of shipments include hazardous wastes
that destination facilities reject, wastes consisting of residues from
non-empty hazardous waste containers, and wastes entering or leaving
the United States.

There will be an 18-month transition to the new form. During this 18
month period, handlers and states will only use the old form. They will
continue to acquire the old forms from the sources they use now. After
September 5, 2006, only the new manifest form and requirements established
under this final rule will be valid and acceptable for use. States requested
this approach so that they could prepare their regulations and data bases
for the changes introduced by the new form, and to use up the old forms.

Handlers will obtain new forms from any source that has registered with
EPA to print and distribute the form. EPA will not distribute forms; rather,
the Agency will oversee the printing requirements and ensure that registered
printers follow them. We will maintain a list of entities that have been
approved to print/distribute the form, so that the public may acquire
the forms from one of the approved printers. Some large waste firms are
expected to register to print their own forms, so that they can use them
wherever they do business, instead of having to buy manifests from different
States (the current practice). States may also register to print the new
form, but State rules cannot establish the state as the exclusive source
of forms. A handler can use a manifest from any registered source.

Proposed Rule - May 22, 2001

Summary

The Agency has proposed a new rule which will improve the Uniform Hazardous
Waste Manifest system by standardizing further the manifest form, and
by providing waste handlers with the option to complete, sign, and transmit
manifests electronically. The proposed revisions should save waste handlers
and regulators time and money, while ensuring the continuous, safe management
of hazardous waste.